Automatic material cutting machine

ABSTRACT

A MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY CUTTING SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT MATERIAL IN A PREDETERMINED PATTERN IN RESPONSE TO REMOTE CONTROL SIGNALS IN WHICH THE MATERIAL TO BE CUT IS SUPPORTED IN SLIDABLE ENGAGEMENT WITH AN UNDERLYING SURFACE HAVING AN OPENING THROUGH WHICH A CUTTING ELEMENT CAN PROJECT TO ENGAGE AND CUT SAID MATERIAL.

Unite States Patent 1 I 1 I 1 I 1 Inventors Appl. No. Filed PatentedAssignee Henry Oppenheim Lake Success;

Jonas Walker, Spring Valley, NY. 756,271

Aug. 29, 1968 June 28, 1971 Intercontinental Machinery Corporation, NewYork, N.Y.

Continuationin-part of application Ser. No. 583,615, Oct. 3, 1966,Continuation-inpart of application Ser. No. 329,022, Dec. 9, 1963, nowabandoned.

AUTOMATIC MATERIAL CUTTING MACHINE 9 Claims, 13 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl. 83/20l.07, 83/398, 83/565, 83/648, 83/925, 83/71 Int. Cl 826d1/46, 826d 5/30, 826d 7/30 [50] Field ofSearch 83/71, 201, 201.04,201.07, 201.15, 398, 559-562, 648, 565, 925 (CC) [56] References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 1,172,058 2/1916 Scheyer 83/71 2,843,917 7/1958Crane et a1. 83/201 .07 3,245,295 5/1966 Mueller 83/56 3,350,969 11/1967Wia'tt et aI.. 83/201.07 3,465,630 9/1969 Bruns 83/424 PrimaryExaminer-Andrew R. .luhasz Assistant Examiner-Leon GildenAttorney--1(ane, Dalsimer, Kane, Sullivan and Kurulz ABSTRACT: A machinefor automatically cutting substantially flat material in a predeterminedpattern in response to remote control signals in which the material tobe cut is supported in slidable engagement with an underlying surfacehaving an opening through which a cutting element can project to engageand cut said material.

PATENTEI] JUN28 I871 3587.378

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SHEET 8 UF 8 INVENTORS ATTORNEYS alUTOlt Mfll'lm ll/M'IIEMMI. CUTTINGMACHINE RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-partof our prior copending application for US. Pat. entitled "AutomaticMaterial Cutting Machine which was filed Oct. 3, I966 and which bearsSer. No. 583,615 which was a continuation-inpart of our priorapplication (now abandoned) for US. Pat. entitled "Automatic MaterialCutting Machine" which was filed Dec. 9, I963 and which had Ser. No.329,022.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Cutting devices and methods of various typeshave been used in the textile industry and other industries to cutsubstantially flat material into pieces or sections. The devices andmethods presently used for such cutting have, for the most part,required marking of the goods to guide the one who will do the cuttingrequiring large expenditure of time, semisltilled labor and invariablyhas resulted in inaccurate cutting and difficulty of duplication. Hence,nonuniformity of pieces, fatigue of workers, waste of material andrelatively expensive workmanship has given less than the most desirableperformance The invention set forth herein is described in the terms ofits application to the cutting of textiles. However, it should beunderstood that the machine and method of the subject invention isapplicable to other fields as well and the specific disclosure herein isby way of example only.

This invention is useful for cutting webs and sheets of rigid,semirigid, flexible and pliable materials according to predeterminedpatterns, and for automatically cutting a stack of superposed webs.

This invention provides a machine and method which will, by means offollowing or tracking accurately translate is drawn line, photograph,template, pattern, or tracing into cut pieces of flat goods.

The invention also allows for the cutting of flat goods in such a waythat the pieces cut therefrom can be accurate duplicates of each otherand heights of ply or layup of the textile material can be cut.

This invention also provides a machine and method with which flat goodscan be accurately cut to a predetermined pattern whether thepredetermined pattern be an item to be duplicated or recorded on amagnetic tape or other intelligence storage means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention consists of a machine and methodfor automatically cutting web material wherein the material to be cut issupported in slidable engagement with an underlying surface having anopening formed therein and a cutting member projecting through saidopening is moved in unison with said underlying surface into cuttingengagement with the stationary web material in accordance with remotecontrol signals.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. ii is a plan view of an automaticcutting machine constructed in accordance with the teachings of thisinvention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the machine shown in FIG. ll;

FIG. ti is a segmentary perspective view of the cutting means andcarriage employed in the machine shown in FIG. l with portions of thedrive means therefor shown;

FIG 5 is an enlarged segmentary view from the side of the cutting meansand carriage shown in FIG. d illustrating the support and drive for theendless cutting element;

PEG. 6 is a partially sectional view taken along the line 6-6 in thedirection of the arrows in DIG. 5 showing the cutting element guidemeans;

MG. 7 is a partially sectional view taken along the line 7-7 in thedirection of the arrows in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a partially sectional view taken along the line i s in thedirection of the arrows in FIG. 6

FIG. 9 is a partially sectional view taken along the line 9-9 in thedirection of the arrows in FIG. 3',

FIG. I0 is a partially sectional view taken along the line I040 in thedirection of the arrows in FIG. I illustrating the support track for thematerial-supporting surface;

FIG. II is a partially sectional view from above of a table supportmember utilized in a modification of the invention;

FIG. I2 is a partially sectional view taken along the line line I2-I2 inthe direction of the arrows in IF I6. I11; and

FIG. I3 is a partially sectional view taken along the line ll3-I3 in thedirection of the arrows in IFIG. ll2.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The machine as shown in the FIGS. contains a table20 having stationary table sections 2I and 22 and a shiftable section 23which provides a supporting surface for material 24 (in slidableengagement therewith) and a movable carriage 25 for cutting element 26.In the embodiment shown a scanner 27 is attached to carriage 23overlying table 23 to scan pattern 29 disposed thereon providing controlsignals for the machine. Alternate means of providing signal control tothe machine can be used and for specific embodiments may be found moredesirable than the embodiments shown in the example in the FIGS.

Table 20 is formed by two longitudinally extending spaced beams 30 and311 suitably supported by stanchions 32 and beams 33. The stationarytable sections 211 and 22 are disposed in longitudinal alignment withedges fastened on top of the beams 30 and 311 and spaced from oneanother a distance slightly less than the length of shiftable tablesection 23 which has wheels 36 mounted thereto by brackets 35 riding ontracks 36 fastened to respective beams 30 and 31 for longitudinalmovement of section 23 beneath the stationary sections.

Edges 21a and 22a of sections 21 and 22 respectively adjacent the centersection 23 are formed as inclined planes for convenience when an end ofthe material on section 23 is laid on one of the sections 211 or 22 aswill appear. The center table section 23 is actually in two parts 230and 23b of identical configuration, slightly spaced, forming opening 37,as seen best in FIG. 6. The edges of parts 23a and 2317 are fastened tocarriage 25 in such way as to permit carriage 25 to move transverselycausing the parts 230 and 23b to move longitudinally as one with thespacing 37 between the two constant or fixed.

Two tape draw rolls 36 and 39 are connected respectively at either endof spacing 37 to the table parts 230 and 23b so that tapes 40 and 411can each be connected at an end to a respective draw roll 38 or 39 intowhich it can wind and the free ends of these tapes are connected tobracket d2 spacing the ends so that a minimum opening 43 is provided inthe center section 23 through which cutting member 26 can project.

Carriage 25 which is in the configuration of a C" having its upperportion 230 above and overlying table 20 with its lower portion 23bbeneath table 20 is supported for rectilinear movement longitudinallyand transversely of table 20 as seen in FIG. d. Transverse movement ison shafts M and d5 supported at their ends by brackets $6 and d7. ShaftsM and 45 are journaled into brackets and d9 so that the carriage 25 ismovable thereon upon turning of screw 50 by servomotor SI. The carriage25 is arranged for longitudinal movement with brackets 46 and d7slidably mounted upon shafts 52 and 53 respectively supported bybrackets 54 and 55. Screw 56 held at one end by bracket 57 and driven byservomotor 53 provides the power for this movement. Bracket 59 and guiderail 60 are provided to guide the carriage in longitudinal movement.

Spaced facing channel members 6i and 62 extend transversely from theundersides of table parts 230 and 23b adjacent space 37 as seen in FIG.6 to respectively receive rollers 63 and 64 which ride therein. Therollers are supported by bracket 63 mounted on carriage 23, whichbracket also supports bracket d2, as shown in FIG. 7.

Hence movement of carriage 25 longitudinally causes longitudinalmovement of the center table-maintaining space 37 and movement of thecarriage transversely causes transverse movements of the tapes 40 and Mmaintaining the opening 43. The cutting element 26 being supported bycarriage 25 and extending in a vertical pass between upper and lowerportions thereof always projects through opening 53 in the sameposition.

Carriage 29 is hollow and as shown in FIG. 5, supports three wheels orrollers 66, 67 and 68 which mount and power cutting element 26, thewheels 67 and 68 being arranged so as to direct a vertical run ofcutting element 26 perpendicularly through opening 43. The drive ofelement 26 is accomplished by use of motor 69, belt 70 and wheel 66.Wheels 67 and 63 are idler wheels.

The motor 69 is set on platform 71 which is pivoted at 72 so the tensionin belt 70 can be accurately and finely adjusted by balance weight 73and tension spring 73a.

in the subject application upper and lower cutting element guide heads74 and 75 are respectively provided.

The cutting element 26 of the present invention embodiment is in theform of a circular band, i.e., a blade having a circular cross section.Cutting element guides are provided herein, however, since the blade isquite delicate and such guide as is proposed herein supports the blade,as will appear below. The band guide however can also be used whencutting blade other than circular is used to direct the cutting edge ofthe blade.

The cutting element 26 is supported for passage through opening 43 byupper and lower guide heads 74 and 75 which are mounted for rotationabout a vertical axis, which axis is the vertical run of cutting element26. The guide heads are arranged for rotation in unison about thevertical axis by means of gearing 76 and 77 respectively meshing withand being driven by chain drives 78 and 79. A servomotor 86 is providedin carriage 25 for driving chains 78 and 79 in synchronism throughrespective gear boxes 8 and 82, as seen in H6. 5.

Each band head guide, as shown in FIGS. through 9, comprises a hollowshaft 93 supporting on its end a substantially spherical housing M splitalong a diametral plane to enable one-half thereof to be removed to giveaccess to the interior of the housing. The housing accommodates a pairof flanged rollers 85 and 86 joumaled for free rotation on parallelspindles 97 and 88 and arranged with partly overlapping flanges so as todefine between them a passage 89, the gorge of which closely correspondsto the circular cross section and dimensions of the cutting band 26. Theguide head 74 is shown in detail in FIGS. 8 and 9 and the guide head 7is identical therewith.

it is contemplated in this embodiment that the blade movement 26 bedownwardly in the direction of the arrow A as shown in FIG. 8, and thatthe blade engage the material in a cutting motion in accordance with thedirection of the arrow B shown in H6. 8. With this arrangement the heads74 and 75 will be continually positioned by servo motor 89 so as to havethe wheel closest to the material being cut directly behind the cuttingblade, thereby supporting it. Hence, for example, in H6. 8 the upperguide would be positioned to have wheel 85 in the position shown.

In operation the material 24 which is to be cut is laid on the tablewith at least an edge thereof on the center table 23 to be supportedthereby in slidable engagement with the table 23, and the cuttingelement 26 is moved into engagement with material 24 in response toremote control signals operating servomotors 51 and 58. Initially thecutting element can enter the web through a predrilled hole. The sameremote signals can be utilized to control servomotor 9t), and ifdesired, actuate cutting element power motor 69 as well. The movement ofthe carriage 25 in response to the signals also moves the underlyingsurface of center table section 23 to maintain the position of opening63 through which the cutting element 2s projects. Operation ofservomotor B0 directs the cutting element heads 74 and 75 in accordancewith the above description to provide additional support to the cuttingelement in order to avoid bowing.

In the present embodiment the control signals are derived by scanner 27sensing the outline of the patterns 29. The outline of the patterns 29is sensed and the signals transmitted to the servomotors. It iscontemplated that the carriage 25 can be moved by hydraulic cylinders byuse of hydraulic motors and suitable controls. Other means for poweringthe carriage 25 can, of course, be utilized.

in FIGS. H, H and 13 a modification is shown. This modified embodimentis substantially identical to the embodiment previously shown anddescribed. However, an additional member 90 is utilized. Member 90 isreferred to herein as a table support member and is shown in FIGS. 12through 13. Table support member 90 is a substantially flat member whichis provided with four longitudinal guide rolls 911, 92, 93 and 94 whichcooperate with horizontal channel member 95 which is attached to thelower portion of beam 30 on the side near the vertical portion ofmovable carriage 25. The longitudinal guide rolls 91, 92, 93 and 94serve to position support member 90 during longitudinal movement of themember with horizontal channel member 9 sewing as a longitudinal track.Table support rolls 96 and 97 cooperate with member 95 to allow thesupport member 90 to move with movable carriage 25 longitudinally, aswill appear below. The table support member 90 is also provided withtransverse guide rolls 98, 99, 100 and 101 which allow the carriage 25to move transversely of the table on table support rolls 102 and 103 asthe transverse guide rolls embrace channel member 1104 supported uponthe carriage 25.

The table support member 90 therefore provides support for the table asthe carriage 25 is shifted longitudinally and transversely.

With the addition of table support member 90 a member is providedbetween the surface of carriage 25 beneath the table and channel 30. Asthe carriage 25 is moved transversely of the table the table supportmember 94) remains in position and the carriage moves with respectthereto due to the action of the transverse guide rolls 98, 99, 1% and101 and rollers 102 and 103 on channel 104.

As the carriage 25 is moved longitudinally the table support member 90moves therewith due to the action of the longitudinal guide rolls 911,92, 93, 94 and rolls 96 and 97 with respect to member 9. Hence a supportis provided between the carriage and the table at all times.

At all times the underlying surface and the cutting element are movedrelative to the material being cut. It is contemplated that the weightof the material being cut will maintain it in substantially fixedposition in space and an end of the material can be laid on one of thestationary portions of the support table if desired. Additionally,suitable clamping means along the edges of the table can be utilized sothat the movement is of the cutting element and underlying surface withrespect to a substantially motionless web member 2 8.

The signal input can be any suitable means such as tapes, etc. and if asensing device is used it can be in the fonn of an optical follower,such as a device of the type shown in US. Pat. No. 3,024,396.

We claim:

1. A material cutting machine for automatically cutting substantiallyflat material in response to remote control signals including incombination an underlying surface supporting said material disposedthereon, a carriage movable with respect to said underlying surface,material cutting means supported by said carriage and operativelyconnecting said material, means energizing said cutting means, carriagemoving means, remote control means activating said carriage moving meansand said material cutting means, said underlying surface having amovable section and a portion of said carriage contacting said movablesection which is movable therewith.

2. A material cutting machine for automatically cutting substantiallyflat material in response to remote control signals includlng incombination an underlying surface supporting said material disposedthereon, a carriage movable with respect to said underlying surface,material cutting means supported by said carriage and operativelyconnecting said material and passing therethrough substantiallyperpendicular thereto, means energizing said cutting means, carriagemoving means, remote control means activating said carriage moving meansand said material cutting means, said underlying surface hav ing amovable section, an opening in said movable section, a portion of saidcarriage contacting said movable section which is movable therewith, andsaid material cutting means projecting through said opening in saidmovable section.

3. A material cutting machine for automatically cutting substantiallyflat material in response to remote control signals in accordance withclaim 2 in which said carriage includes cutting element guide means forsupporting said cutting means in the direction of cutting movementthereof responsive to said remote control signals.

4. A machine as claimed in claim 2 in which the underlying surface is atable having a stationary section and said movable section is slidablewith respect thereto.

5. A machine as claimed in claim 2 in which said movable sectionconsists of two spaced pans forming said opening therebetweentransversely of said underlying surface which parts are moved in unisonby said carriage maintaining said opening.

6. A machine as claimed in claim 5 in which first and second tape drumsare respectively provided on either side of said movable section, firstand second tapes respectively within said drums and extendingtransversely of said movable section overlying the spacing between saidspaced parts with the exception of said opening and said carriageengaging said tapes to move said tapes transversely upon transversemovement of said carriage maintaining said opening.

7. A machine as claimed in claim 2 in which said material cutting meansis an endless band and said carriage is provided with upper and lowersections respectively above and below said opening upper and lower idlerwheels on said upper and lower sections about which said band isdisposed defining the vertical run of said cutting means, a drive wheelwrapped by said band and a motor turning said drive wheel to move saidband in its endless direction.

8. A machine as claimed in claim 2 in which said endless carriage isprovided with upper and lower sections respectively above and below saidopening and a table support member between said lower section and saidunderlying surface, first roller means between said table support memberand said lower section, second roller means between said underlyingsurface and said table support member whereby said carriage uponmovement transverse to said underlying surface moves relative to saidtable support member and upon movement longitudinally of sad underlyingsurface, said table support member moves longitudinally relative to saidunderlying support.

9. A machine as claimed in claim 8 in which first and second track meansare respectively provided cooperating with said first and second rollermeans.

